mature fashionista!

So many of the most fashionable people I know are women over 60 and in my opinion its down to women over a certain age having better self-confidence and a stronger sense of self. You only need look at my very own Mother as proof that there IS such thing as a “mature fashionista".

Firstly, I'm gonna have to go against my stylist belief system here and firmly state what you most certainly need to banish from your wardrobe.

1. Mumsy floor-length floral printed dresses. Get rid of all of them!

2. Large, oversized t-shirts (unless you plan to sleep in them)

3. Khaki or skin-coloured granny flats. Trust me, there are stylish comfy shoes out there. Ditch these!

4. Bin liner jumper-type dresses (usually made of khaki or denim)

5. Sweaters/jumpers with gawdy embroidery or appliques (unless you're sporting one during the festive season as a tongue in cheek fashion statement)

Now that that's done, begin to re-build your wardrobe. Here's a few tips ...

Wearing one, simple colour is slimming and classic. Ever notice celebrity over sixty’s like Susan Sarandon, Diane Sawyer, Helen Mirren and Barbara Walters keep the patterns to a minimum, focusing on wearing solid colours?

Don’t be afraid to wear stand-out accessories. By keeping your wardrobe basic, you can add statement accessories without looking like you’re "trying to be young". Lovisa.com and of course shaddychicboutique.com are fab stores to find accessories without going overboard with spending.

Inject colour into your wardrobe. Aim for a core wardrobe of neutral-coloured basics that you can liven up with coloured tops, interesting accessories and accents.

Even if you're blessed with ripper pins, keep your skirts on the knee andt no higher.

Sleeves are flattering but if you find a beautiful sleeveless dress that you love, don’t write it off — just pair it with a jacket, coat or cardigan and wear as an outfit. If you find a dress with a sleeve that’s three-quarter length, or just above the elbow, snap it up.